Valour looking for donations to electronic waste recycling program

Valour students Luke Samms (left) and Dylan Stencill are seen here with some of the e-waste that has been collected by the school. The money generated through the Valour Electronics Recycling Program goes towards other initiatives at the school.Submitted photo

PETAWAWA – Everyday hundreds of thousands of tons of electronic waste are thrown out. That’s thousands of tons of plastic and harmful chemicals in Canadian landfills that don’t have to be there.

Valour JK-12 School is involved in a project at school that teaches the importance of recycling and protecting the environment. The school has entered a partnership with several recycling companies that remanufacture inkjet and laser cartridges and recycle electronics. Students are collecting as many cartridges and electronics as they can, and once submitted to the recycle companies these items will earn the school money which we can then put to use in various school initiatives (i.e. musical instruments, shop tools, science equipment, sports uniforms, cameras, sports equipment, etc.)

The school has been collecting the items listed below for 15 years now and in 2018 alone Valour collected 1,233 kilograms of used batteries, more than 20,000 used ink cartridges and 15,475 kilograms of e-waste:

THE REGULAR COLLECTION ITEMS LISTED BELOW:

Inkjet printer cartridges

Laser printer cartridges

Fax machine cartridges

Cell phones

Digital cameras

Ipods

MP3 players

GPS systems

Laptop computers

Used batteries of any size

The above items can be dropped off in the main lobby of Valour in the black recycling box.

ADDITIONAL ELECTRONIC WASTE NOW BEING ACCEPTED:

Printers (all types)

Flat panel monitors

Electrical cords, extension cords, speaker wires, copper wires

Memory/ram

Printed circuit boards (all)

Hard drives

Power supplies, chargers, power bars, battery chargers

Satellite receivers (PVRs)

Computer equipment and parts

Fax machines

Peripherals (keyboards, mice, remote controls, etc.)

Video gaming systems

Televisions and computer monitors

Telephone equipment

Audio equipment (stereos and speakers)

Microwave ovens

Motor vehicle batteries

Those involved in the recycling program are hoping the community can help by contributing these items. All funds raised from the collection of these items will go directly towards school improvement projects. Electronic-waste items can be dropped off beside the black recycle bin situated next to the auto shop bay doors at Valour JK-12. If the shipment is large enough, it is also possible to arrange pickup at places of business. Those involved in the program thank everyone for considering this request to support the program and hope to hear from you soon. If you are willing to participate or have any questions, please contact Gary Serviss at servissg@rcdsb.on.ca.